Torbay CTC Album
Reports
Sunday 20 April 1980
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Dartmeet
Cloudy and cold
9 Participants:
Peter Adams, Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Martin Filham, Don Hassall, Antony House, Michael Jones, Mark Morton, John Stuart
Eight riders congregated at Dart Bridge on a chilly, cloudy morning. We soon warmed up however as we briskly trundled to Holne, eventually finding a sunny lunch spot above Venford reservoir where I tackled the result of running over a thorn.
After lunch we headed for Hexworthy, carrying on to Dartmeet where some of us attacked Badgers’ Holt hill in bottom gear. We later stopped at Spitchwick and then at New Bridge where Peter mended a puncture. We left Peter above Hembury Woods and then descended swiftly to Buckfastleigh where we met Don and Grace Hassall and had a delightful tea at the Downie household – many thanks to them for their hospitality. We held a short Runs Meeting and then left.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
[2 points: Don Hassall]
[3 points: Peter Adams]
[4 points: everyone else]
After lunch we headed for Hexworthy, carrying on to Dartmeet where some of us attacked Badgers’ Holt hill in bottom gear. We later stopped at Spitchwick and then at New Bridge where Peter mended a puncture. We left Peter above Hembury Woods and then descended swiftly to Buckfastleigh where we met Don and Grace Hassall and had a delightful tea at the Downie household – many thanks to them for their hospitality. We held a short Runs Meeting and then left.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
[2 points: Don Hassall]
[3 points: Peter Adams]
[4 points: everyone else]
View of Venford Reservoir from near the lunch spot
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
The River Dart, from the bridge at Dartmeet
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Dartmeet
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Ponsworthy
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Colin Downie riding through Hembury Woods?
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Sunday 27 April 1980
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Ringmore
9 Participants:
Peter Adams, Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Martin Filham, Antony House, Mark Morton, Robert Spence, John Stuart, Philip Wrigley
Today’s ride began with nine riders meeting at Totnes in beautiful weather. We pedalled through the lanes to Harbertonford, where Martin fixed a puncture, and carried on through Woodleigh, eventually reaching the quaint village of Ringmore.
We found a bumpy track to take us to the windswept Aymer Cove for an enjoyable lunch. Robert decided to have a swim and afterwards played some merry tunes on his mouth organ. We then cycled along another track and carried on along the roads to Modbury, after which the Buckfastleigh people turned off for Marley Head and the Torbay group for Totnes.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
We found a bumpy track to take us to the windswept Aymer Cove for an enjoyable lunch. Robert decided to have a swim and afterwards played some merry tunes on his mouth organ. We then cycled along another track and carried on along the roads to Modbury, after which the Buckfastleigh people turned off for Marley Head and the Torbay group for Totnes.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
Sunday 4 May 1980
14:15 - 18:00
14:15 - 18:00
Afternoon ride: Broadhempston
Sunny and warm
5 Participants:
Russell Billings (14, Buckfastleigh), Colin Brierly, Martin Filham, Sue Shepley, John Stuart
The weather for our May Afternoon Ride was magnificent, and Colin, Martin and Sue met a new Buckfastleigh lad, Russell Billings, and I at Marldon. We decided to meander through the lanes around Broadhempston, and during our pleasant travels found a fairly good track.
We had time to admire the ruined farm buildings, young calves, beehives and some young birds nesting in a hedge before the Torbay cyclists headed for Denbury and the Buckfastleigh people turned off for Ashburton.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
We had time to admire the ruined farm buildings, young calves, beehives and some young birds nesting in a hedge before the Torbay cyclists headed for Denbury and the Buckfastleigh people turned off for Ashburton.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
Sunday 11 May 1980
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Fingle Bridge
10 Participants:
Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Martin Filham, Antony House, Carl Jefferys, Mark Morton, John Pope, Mark Shepherd, Sue Shepley, John Stuart
We congregated at Bovey Tracey on a fine day. The ten of us (five from Torbay, five from Ashburton area) rode along the main road to Moretonhampstead. From there we meandered through the lanes, eventually reaching a track signposted Fingle Bridge. Colin had previously warned us of the rough properties of this track and we soon found out for ourselves as we steered down the steep, twisting route laden with rocks, sticks and ruts.
Our lunch spot was just above the bridge and we settled down, carefully avoiding the local wood ants. After lunch we viewed the bridge and then set off along a smoother, longer track which brought us back to the lanes. Soon however we were bumping along a footpath bringing us out at Steps Bridge. Finally we cycled down the Teign Valley, arriving at Chudleigh Knighton where Torbay cyclists left the Buckfastleigh contingent (including John and Mark) for home.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
Our lunch spot was just above the bridge and we settled down, carefully avoiding the local wood ants. After lunch we viewed the bridge and then set off along a smoother, longer track which brought us back to the lanes. Soon however we were bumping along a footpath bringing us out at Steps Bridge. Finally we cycled down the Teign Valley, arriving at Chudleigh Knighton where Torbay cyclists left the Buckfastleigh contingent (including John and Mark) for home.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
Sunday 18 May 1980
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Devon DA BCTC Heat, Higher Ashton
17 Participants:
Peter Adams, Colin Brierly, Jean Brierly, Don Cockman, Paul Cockman, Colin Downie, Noel Downie, Don Hassall, Grace Hassall, Antony House, Mike House, Carl Jefferys, John Pope, Sue Shepley, Robert Spence, John Stuart, Philip Wrigley
The BCTC heat at Higher Ashton went very well indeed with a morning of questions and general exercises and a more difficult afternoon of map reading. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and congratulations to all those who did well. Thanks very much to all the marshals, organisers, tea-makers and everyone who managed to produce such a perfect day.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
[2 points: Jean Brierly, Grace Hassall, Sue Shepley]
[4 points: everyone else]
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
[2 points: Jean Brierly, Grace Hassall, Sue Shepley]
[4 points: everyone else]
Sunday 25 May 1980
10:00 - 12:00
10:00 - 12:00
Day ride: Harford
10 Participants:
Iris Buckler, Colin Downie, Madora Downie, Noel Downie, Robert Downie, Antony House, Carl Jefferys, Mark Morton, John Stuart, Philip Wrigley
Our Day Run to Harford never really got off the ground. The Downie family plus Antony, Iris Buckler and myself met at Avonwick at eleven o’clock and waited for about half an hour. We already knew that Colin was not going to be riding and, from the look of things, it seemed that nobody else from Torbay would be out. Colin and Antony telephoned Phil’s house and were informed that Phil was on the road. Despite this it appeared that there would be no scheduled ride and we decided, in view of the prospects, to go our different ways.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
Sunday 1 June 1980
14:15 - 18:00
14:15 - 18:00
Afternoon ride: Denbury
14 Participants:
Frank Boyes, Colin Brierly, Colin Downie, Madora Downie, Noel Downie, Robert Downie, Martin Filham, Don Hassall, Antony House, Mike House, Mark Morton, Sue Shepley, John Stuart, Philip Wrigley
We were very pleased to have Frank back with us again for our Denbury Afternoon Run. Seven of us met at Marldon and we wandered along to Afton, where we took the country lanes through Littlehempston and Landscove to bring us out at Denbury. We met the Downie family, along with Antony House, his father, Don and Grace, at the Reynolds’ household and enjoyed a lovely tea. Thanks very much to Mr and Mrs Reynolds, plus Grace and Mrs Downie and all those who helped provide the tea. Finally, the Torbay cyclists left for Marldon and the seven Buckfastleigh and Ashburton riders headed home along the lanes signposted to Bickington.
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
[2 points: Frank Boyes, Philip Wrigley]
[3 points: everyone else]
(John Stuart)
[Attendance verified]
[2 points: Frank Boyes, Philip Wrigley]
[3 points: everyone else]
Saturday 7 June 1980
09:00 - 23:00
09:00 - 23:00
Weekend ride: Beer Youth Hostel
Day 1
Day 1
9 Participants:
Colin Downie, Madora Downie, Noel Downie, Robert Downie, Don Hassall, Antony House, Carl Jefferys, Michael Jones, John Stuart
Three of us set off from Buckfastleigh at 9am on a dark, dull morning. Through Ashburton to Chudleigh, making very good time until we commenced the climb to Ashcombe half-way up Haldon. Then the rain that had been threatening suddenly came down. Luckily we were amongst the trees so sheltered for quite some time. Out came the sun so on again. A quick descent to Starcross in the rain to meet Don, and a mad rush for the ferry which was just leaving. Across to Exmouth – no-one felt ill – I’m the world’s worst sailor! We all had an exciting lunch in a bus shelter with Don keeping our spirits up by giving details of the next hilly section to come.
On again to Littleham and out came the sun and off came the waterproofs. Down the hill to Budleigh and Colin’s chain came off. On the road once more to the sea front and ice-creams all round. Ice-creams consumed, pints of water drunk, then up along the river path and lanes to thatched Otterton – a nice village this, not spoiled one bit. Down over Peak Hill into Sidmouth – what a super run!
Cream teas this time, then a terrible climb up to Salcombe Regis and down to beautiful Branscombe. A halt for photographs, then a wicked climb up to Beer. Don very craftily volunteered us all for washing up the dinner plates etc. So to bed – Michael reckons he doesn’t snore … perhaps it was the traffic outside!
(Noel Downie)
[Attendance verified - except guessed that Mark Morton on day ride not weekend]
[2 points: Madora and Robert Downie]
[4 points: everyone else]
On again to Littleham and out came the sun and off came the waterproofs. Down the hill to Budleigh and Colin’s chain came off. On the road once more to the sea front and ice-creams all round. Ice-creams consumed, pints of water drunk, then up along the river path and lanes to thatched Otterton – a nice village this, not spoiled one bit. Down over Peak Hill into Sidmouth – what a super run!
Cream teas this time, then a terrible climb up to Salcombe Regis and down to beautiful Branscombe. A halt for photographs, then a wicked climb up to Beer. Don very craftily volunteered us all for washing up the dinner plates etc. So to bed – Michael reckons he doesn’t snore … perhaps it was the traffic outside!
(Noel Downie)
[Attendance verified - except guessed that Mark Morton on day ride not weekend]
[2 points: Madora and Robert Downie]
[4 points: everyone else]
We think this is a view towards Woodbury Common from near Otterton
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
View to Sidmouth from Peak Hill
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Colin at Street, near Branscombe
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Beehive Cottage, Street, near Branscombe
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Sunday 8 June 1980
10:00 - 18:00
10:00 - 18:00
Day ride: Woodbury Common
3 Participants:
Frank Boyes, Colin Brierly, Mark Morton
Only three of us out on the day run to Woodbury, with a plan to meet the Beer Hostel contingent near Budleigh – and we would have done so if the Starcross Ferry hadn’t been a quarter of an hour earlier on Sunday than it was on Saturday.
We rode fairly hard up through Gappah to the top of Haldon, then hurtled down through Black Forest to Starcross and missed the ferry by a few minutes. We decided that we could still reach the meeting point with a bit more energetic riding, though we’d be rather late. Woodbury to Four Firs drags at any time and more so when it’s lunch time, but we made Otterton and followed down the lane towards Budleigh without finding the weekenders.
Overdue lunch consumed we used a different route back to Woodbury and on to Topsham and Dawlish for tea.
(Colin Brierly)
[Attendance verified, although guessed that Mark Morton on day ride rather than weekend]
We rode fairly hard up through Gappah to the top of Haldon, then hurtled down through Black Forest to Starcross and missed the ferry by a few minutes. We decided that we could still reach the meeting point with a bit more energetic riding, though we’d be rather late. Woodbury to Four Firs drags at any time and more so when it’s lunch time, but we made Otterton and followed down the lane towards Budleigh without finding the weekenders.
Overdue lunch consumed we used a different route back to Woodbury and on to Topsham and Dawlish for tea.
(Colin Brierly)
[Attendance verified, although guessed that Mark Morton on day ride rather than weekend]
Sunday 8 June 1980
08:00 - 18:00
08:00 - 18:00
Weekend ride: Beer Youth Hostel
Day 2
Day 2
9 Participants:
Colin Downie, Madora Downie, Noel Downie, Robert Downie, Don Hassall, Antony House, Carl Jefferys, Michael Jones, John Stuart
Colin and Noel at Beer youth hostel
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
Cycling though quiet lanes from Otterton to Budleigh
(Michael, Kodak Ektra 100, Kodak 110)
(Noel Downie)